Little-knowns almost pull it out for Lakers

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LOS ANGELES What a story it would have been, a bench bunch led by one guy who had played in just a handful of games and another whose name most people mispronounce leading the Lakers back from a 20-point deficit to beat the surprise team in the Western Conference.

No matter how much Robert Sacre battled, or how many times Xavier Henry crashed to the basket — and into photographers — the Lakers were ultimately undone by their inefficiency to start both halves Sunday, losing, 114-108, to the Portland Trail Blazers.

“It bordered on, I don't know, a day in the park,” Coach Mike D'Antoni said. “I just didn't think we had it. And that's too bad.

The Lakers fell behind by 17 in the first half before coming back to tie the game, and then again by 20 to start the fourth quarter. Pau Gasol was absent offensively, finishing just 3 of 15 from the field, and finishing with six points.

Much of the drama that followed can be credited to Sacre. The second-year center has played in just six games, and Sunday was just his third since earning a regular spot in the rotation. He finished with career highs in points (12) and rebounds (seven).

Thrust into the game with a tall hill to climb, a mishmash Lakers lineup of Sacre, Henry, Jodie Meeks, Wesley Johnson and Shawne Williams rallied to cut the Lakers lead to one with 3:40 remaining.

“We're fighters,” said Henry, who scored a career-high 27 points to lead the Lakers. “We've got a lot of guys that really want, we turn up when we're supposed to, we come in and we get the job done.”

It was a startling run from the Lakers. They were down, 94-74, entering the fourth. Henry started the run with a breakaway dunk and received a technical for a stare down. As ill-advised as the glare might have been, the play ignited a 21-3 run for the Lakers.

In the last three minutes, however, the Blazers broke free of their slump on 3-pointers by both Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews.

The Lakers failed to contain LaMarcus Aldridge, who finished with 27 points, and Lillard, who added 26.

With many projecting Kobe Bryant will return from his torn Achilles' injury Friday in Sacramento — after three days of practice — the Lakers evened their record at 9-9. The Blazers improved to 14-3, a startling record that didn't faze the Lakers.

“We feel like that's a team we have to beat,” Williams said, “even though they're at the top of the West. That's where we're trying to get to.”

Oh, Henry

As a first-year Laker, a training-camp invitee with relatively low expectations, Henry has been perhaps the most surprising Laker. Just add Sunday's performance against Portland to the list of big games. However, since leading the Lakers with a then-career high 22 points in the season opener, he has been all over the place.

“It's a little bit of a roller coaster,” D'Antoni said. “Up and down, up and down. He could be great or he struggles a little bit. Twenty two years old and he can do that, we just have to make sure the next game he does it the next game he does it.”

Before Sunday he had scored 16 points in his last three games combined.

“When I'm aggressive,” Henry said, “a lot of things open up for me. I get to the rack, I get fouls, I can hit jump shots, I hit 3s. When I'm in tune and aggressive, a lot of things are just easy.”

One more injury

Backup point guard Jordan Farmar left Sunday's game in the first half because of what was determined to be a moderate strain in his right hamstring.

While the injury is not thought to be devastating, he remains day to day and it's unclear how much he will be able to practice this week.

“I had the same thing in the playoffs last year,” Steve Blake said, “so I know exactly what he's going through. I don't know how severe it is, but it's something that you can come back from.”

Notes

Pau Gasol said after his six-point, five-rebound performance that he will undergo an MRI today on a sprained right ankle. He has been playing through the injury. …

With four days off until their next game, the Lakers will take Monday off and return to practice Tuesday. Steve Nash and Bryant are both expected to participate.

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